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Smells like evolution: the role of chemoreceptor evolution in behavioral change
Jessica Cande1, Benjamin Prud'homme, Nicolas Gompel
1Aix-Marseille Université & Institut de Biologie du Developpement de Marseille-Luminy, UMR CNRS 6216, Case 907, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, 13288 Marseille Cedex 9, France.
Current Opinion in Neurobiology
|August 14, 2012
Summary
Behavioral evolution is complex, but chemosensory system changes, particularly in fruit flies (Drosophila), drive behavioral divergence. Rapid evolution of chemoreceptors significantly impacts neural activity and behavior.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
Background:
- Understanding the evolution of behavior lags behind physiology and morphology.
- Behavioral evolution requires identifying genetic underpinnings and physiological changes.
- Chemosensory systems in model organisms like Drosophila are well-studied and evolve rapidly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review how changes in chemosensory systems contribute to behavioral diversification.
- To examine the link between genetic changes, chemosensory systems, and divergent behaviors.
- To highlight the role of chemoreceptor evolution in behavioral changes.
Main Methods:
- Focus on functional comparative studies in model species, primarily Drosophila.
- Analysis of genetic changes affecting chemosensory systems.
- Examination of how receptor identity and expression influence neural circuits and behavior.
Main Results:
- Rapid diversification of chemoreceptor repertoires is a key evolutionary trend.
- Changes in chemoreceptor identity and expression can alter neural activity.
- Specific genetic changes in chemosensory systems directly lead to behavioral divergence.
Conclusions:
- The peripheral nervous system's role in behavioral evolution is increasingly understood.
- The evolution of the central nervous system in behavioral change remains largely unknown.
- Expanded functional comparative studies are needed to investigate CNS evolution in behavior.
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